Saturday, August 24, 2013

As
part of our 125th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co.
we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31,
2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share
our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating
our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing
some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 291 – Celosia is used as a treatment
for intestinal worms (particularly tapeworm), blood diseases, mouth sores, eye
problems. The seeds treat chest complaints and the flowers treat diarrhea. The
leaves are used as dressings for boils and sores, and the boiled vegetables are
said to be slightly diuretic.

Day 292 - Orchids have been used in traditional
medicine in an effort to treat many diseases and ailments. They have been used
as a source of herbal remedies in China since 2800 BC. Gastrodia elata is one of the three orchids listed in the
earliest known Chinese Materia Medica. This variety of dendrobium orchid is
called Galaxy.

Day 293 - The underground tubers of some terrestrial
orchids are ground to a powder and used for cooking, such as in the hot
beverage salep or in the
Turkish frozen treat dondurma. The dried leaves of some orchid varieties are
used to flavor rum on Reunion Island. And some orchid species of the group Gastrodia produce potato-like tubers
and were consumed as food by native peoples in Australia and can be
successfully cultivated. This variety of dendrobium orchid is called Fuji.

Day 294 – Huckleberry grows as a shrub and
is part of the heath family of plants. Huckleberries were traditionally an
important part of the diet of many Native American tribes of North America,
including the Crow tribe.

Day 295 – Lily grass lends itself well to a
myriad of floral designs, whether in long blades or twisted and looped into
contemporary designs. There are 2 widely used species:Liriope, which was the name of Narcissus' mother and she was a
fountain nymph, and Ophiopogon, which is from the Greek "ophis" (a
snake) and "pogon" (a beard).

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

As
part of our 125th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co.
we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31,
2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share
our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating
our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing
some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 286 - Asplenium nidus is an epiphytic species of
fern, commonly referred to as bird’s nest fern. An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant (such as a tree)
non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object (such as a building),
derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, and sometimes from
debris accumulating around it. It’s fun and funky leaves lend well to tropical
and contemporary designs.

Day 287 – Silky gold asclepias is a yellow form of Milkweed from South
America. A garden must for attracting Monarch butterflies; Asclepias is the
sole food source for Monarch caterpillars. Three-inch long clusters of
golden-yellow summer flowers are displayed against yellow-green lance-shaped
leaves. This well-behaved plant needs little attention and mixes beautifully
with other tall perennials. Popular as a cut flower.

Day 288 - Heat up your
floral arrangements and garden with ornamental peppers! Much like hot peppers
you would grow in the veggie garden, ornamental peppers produce colorful little
fruits that are round or pointed. But these are so attractive in their own
right that they can be grown just for show -- not eating. The peppers are
indeed edible, but usually their flavor is lacking compared to peppers grown
for the table (we’ve tried them, they still have a kick!). Depending on the
variety, the peppers appear in shades of white, green, purple, red, orange, and
yellow -- often with multiple colors on the same plant. They like rich,
well-drained soil that is evenly moist.

Day 289 - Celosiais a small
genus of edible and ornamental plants in the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae.
The generic name is derived from the Greek word κηλος (kelos), meaning "burned," and refers to the flame-like
flower heads.

Day 290 – Hang eucalyptus in your shower,
the steam will release beneficial oils. These oils not only work as an
antiseptic, but they help to reduce stress, aid mental clarity, enhance your
mood, are good for your respiratory health and are an anti-inflammatory.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

As
part of our 125th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co.
we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31,
2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share
our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating
our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing
some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 281 - If you grew up in the Pacific Northwest you likely know what
ferns are good for: treating stinging nettles. One of the world’s oldest
plants, there are many varieties of ferns, but if you’re lucky enough to spy
the soft, delicate lady fern, grab some and roll it up between your palms into
a rough mash. The juices released will quickly ease stinging nettle burns and
can also ease minor cuts, stings and burns (fresh salt water also works in a
pinch for bee stings). Bracken fern are similar to lady fern and will work, as
well. The rougher, glossier, stiff sword fern and deer fern won’t be as
effective, though. Lady ferns actually grow all over North America but are
common in areas with high rainfall.

Day 282 - Tansy
is an old-world aster and remedy, used ornamentally by florists, as well as for
flavoring beer and stews as well as repelling insects. Rubbing the leaves on
the skin provides an effective bug repellent, but tansy can also be used to
treat worms. It is said to be poisonous when extracted, but a few leaves are
not harmful if ingested.

Day 283 - Famous
for making cats deliriously crazy, catnip has health properties that are great
for humans, too. Catnip can relieve cold symptoms (helpful if you’re on a camping
trip and don’t have access to Nyquil). It’s useful in breaking a fever as it
promotes sweating. Catnip also helps stop excessive bleeding and swelling when
applied rather than ingested. This mint plant is also reportedly helpful in
treating gas, stomach aches, and migraines. Catnip can stimulate uterine contractions,
so it should not be consumed by pregnant women.

Day 284 - Native
to Europe and Asia, sweet violet is cultivated around the world and is a pleasant,
delicate purple color. When brewed into a syrup the plant is effective as a
treatment for colds, flu and coughs or sore throat. However, when made as a
tea, it is wonderfully effective for relieving headaches and muscle and body
pain.

Day 285 – These #Jerseyfresh lovelies
are Teddy Bear Sunflowers. Teddy Bear’s have lots of short, fluffy petals that
are soft to the touch (don’t you just want to pet them?). Golden yellow fully double 6” blooms,
well-suited for mild borders, containers and cut flower bouquets. Uniform
bush-like plants flower mid-summer on. The ripe heads are attractive to birds. Of course, the most famous representation
of sunflowers has to be the Vincent van Gogh series of paintings, some of which
include the Teddy Bear variety!

Friday, August 9, 2013

As
part of our 125th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co.
we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31,
2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share
our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating
our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing
some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 276 - Carnations, also known as Dianthus
caryophyllus, have long been brewed into teas that may help alleviate stress
and nervousness. Carnations grown, cultivated and dried into tea brews have
also been used to treat minor depression and fatigue. In Europe, folk medicine
relied on infusions or teas brewed of carnations to help relieve nervousness
and some coronary disorders, as well as for nausea caused by seasickness.

Day 277 - In massage oils, carnations
have been used to promote healing of the skin and to increase vitality that not
only softens and replenishes the skin, but creates a scent that many find
soothing and calming. In ancient China, carnation flower tea was widely used to
help the body and spirit relax, and to restore energy in the body.

Day 278 - Carnations contain
substances that soothe the nervous system, reduce inflammation and swelling and
can help restore natural hormonal balances in women with nervous conditions
associated with hormone imbalances, according to Worldwide Health, an
alternative medical resource. Carnations have long been used to reduce muscle
tension in uterine tissues, reducing the discomfort of menstrual cramps.

Day 279 - Carnations have been used
in medicine to help reduce fevers and stomach aches, in addition to enhancing
liver, stomach and heart health. In "Pharmacopoeia Londinensis," a
1618 publication of a pharmaceutical book, the carnation was used in tonic
cordials or hot drinks to help fight fevers and fight against germs and
pestilence.

Day 280 - According to some ancient
Aztec homeopathic remedies, carnations were used by this Indian culture as a
diuretic when taken in an infusion of carnation flower petals in hot water. The
ancient Indian tribe also used carnations for treatment and relief of chest
congestion and diseases by taking about 1 tbsp. of the flower petals mixed with
sugar and boiled in a syrup every three hours.

As part of our 125th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your
Florist Co. we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru
October 31, 2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share our
knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating our
blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing some
simple lessons in floristry.Day 271 - The
name Pittosporum comes from the Greek words 'pitta' meaning "pitch"
and 'spora' meaning "seed" in reference to the sticky seeds of many
members of the genus. Pittosporum, a native foliage of New Zealand, also
available from Florida, has found its way into the hearts of floral designers
for its wide range of colors and textures. An excellent item for use as a
filler in arrangements and bouquets, beautifully complementing other flowers.
Due to the dramatic appearance of many of the varieties, they are also
increasingly being brought to the fore of arrangements as a feature item.

Day 272 - Do not try to get rid of the ants on your peonies.
This is a natural and temporary activity. It is believed that peonies produce
small amounts of nectar and other ant attractants to encourage ants to help in
opening the dense double flower buds found in many peonies. The ants may be
found covering certain varieties and avoiding others, this is totally normal.
Once the buds have opened the ants will disappear - also normal. Some people
think ants are REQUIRED to open the flowers, but this does not to appear to be
true. It seems a debatable question whether ants are beneficial
or harmful. We think they’re neutral.

Day 273 -
Gomphrena globosa, commonly known as Globe Amaranth or Bachelor Button, is an
annual plant that grows up to 24 inches in height. The true species has magenta
bracts, and cultivars have colors such as purple, red, white, pink, and lilac.
Its native range is in Brazil, Panama and Guatemala.

Day 274 - The
word Phlox comes from the Greek meaning "flame". Most phlox is native
to the US but was brought to Europe in the 1700s where it enjoyed popularity as
a cottage garden plant and was bred for many color and form variations. In the
language of flowers, phlox means our souls are united or we think alike.

Day 275 - Long-leaved phlox
was used medicinally by several Native American tribes. A decoction of pounded
roots was rubbed all over the body for colds or aches & given to babies
with stomachaches. An infusion of the whole plant was given to anemic children.
An infusion of mashed roots was taken for diarrhea. A decoction of the entire
plant was taken for stomach disorders, and an infusion of roots was given to children
for stomachaches. Externally, a decoction of leaves was put on boils, and an
infusion or decoction of roots was used as an eyewash.

As part of our 125th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your
Florist Co. we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru
October 31, 2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share our
knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating our
blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing some
simple lessons in floristry.

Day 266 - A
number of species of zinnia are popular flowering plants. Their varied habits
allow for uses in several parts of a garden, and their tendency to attract
butterflies and hummingbirds is seen as desirable. A number of species of
zinnia are popular flowering plants. Their varied habits allow for uses in
several parts of a garden, and their tendency to attract butterflies and
hummingbirds is seen as desirable. Their ability to attract hummingbirds is
also seen as useful as a defense against whiteflies, and therefore zinnias are
a desirable companion plant, benefiting plants that are intercropped with it.
Zinnias are grown in the summer.

Day 267 -
There are many kinds of Zinnias and the general meaning of this flower is
thoughtfulness and friendship. Magenta zinnias symbolize lasing affection,
scarlet represent constancy, white mean goodness, yellow symbolize daily
remembrance and a mix of colors mean that one is thinking of an absent friend.

Day 268 –
Solidego is an attractive source of nectar for bees, flies, wasps, and
butterflies. Honey from solidego often is dark and strong due to admixtures of
other nectars. However when there is a strong honey flow, a light (often water
white), spicy-tasting monofloral honey is produced. While the bees are ripening
the honey produced from solidego it has a rank odor and taste, but finished
honey is much milder.

Day 269 – Solidego,
Solidago virgaurea, is used in
a traditional kidney tonic by practitioners of herbal medicine to counter
inflammation and irritation caused of bacterial infections or kidney stones.
Solidego has also been used as part of a tincture to aid in cleansing of the
kidney or bladder during a healing fast, in conjunction with potassium broth
and specific juices. Native Americans chewed the leaves to relieve sore throats
and chewed the roots to relieve toothaches.

Day 270 -
Variegation is the appearance of differently colored zones in the leaves, and
sometimes the stems, of plants. This may be due to a number of causes. Some
variegation is attractive and ornamental and gardeners tend to preserve these.
The term is also sometimes used to refer to color zonation in flowers,
minerals, and the skin, fur, feathers or scales of animals.

As
part of our 125th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co.
we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31,
2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share
our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating
our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing
some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 261 -
Following the trench warfare of the 1st World War which took place in the poppy
fields of Flanders, red poppies have become a symbol of remembrance of soldiers
who have died during wartime.

Day 262 -
Poppies can grow to be over 4 feet tall, and 6 inches across. The petals are
showy, may be of almost any color and some have markings. The petals are
crumpled in the bud and as blooming finishes, the petals often lie flat before
falling away. The poppy will become dormant after blooming. Poppies are in full
bloom late spring to early summer.

Day 263 -
Poppies are rich in oil, carbohydrates, calcium, and protein. Poppy oil is
often used as cooking oil, salad dressing oil, or in products such as margarine.
Poppy oil can also be added to spices for cakes, or breads. Poppy products are
also used in different paints, varnishes, and some cosmetics.

Day 264 -
Poppies have long been used as a symbol of sleep, peace, and death: sleep
because of the opium extracted from them, and death because of the common
blood-red color of the red poppy in particular. In Greek and Roman myths,
poppies were used as offerings to the dead. Poppies used as emblems on
tombstones symbolize eternal sleep. This symbolism was evoked in the children's
novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, in which a magical poppy field threatened to
make the protagonists sleep forever. A second interpretation of poppies in
Classical mythology is that the bright scarlet color signifies a promise of
resurrection after death.

Day 265 -
Ancient Egyptian doctors would have their patients eat seeds from a poppy to
relieve pain. Poppy seeds contain both morphine and codeine, which are
pain-relieving drugs that are still used today. Poppy seeds and fixed oils can
also be nonnarcotic because when they are harvested, they are after the capsule
has lost the opium yielding potential. The morphine practically disappears from
the seeds twenty days after the flower has opened.

As
part of our 125th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co.
we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31,
2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share
our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating
our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing
some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 256 - In
1846 the Caledonia Horticultural Society of Edinburgh, offered a prize of 2,000
pounds to the first person producing a blue dahlia. The color has never been
produced. While dahlias produce anthocyanin, an element necessary for color
production, to achieve a true blue color in a plant, the anthocyanin
delphinidin needs six hydroxyl groups. To date dahlias have only developed
five, so the closest that breeders have come to achieving a "blue"
specimen are variations of mauve, purples and lilac hues.

Day 257 -
Today the dahlia is still considered one of the native ingredients in Oaxacan
cuisine; several cultivars are still grown especially for their large, sweet
potato-like tubers. Dacopa, an intense mocha-tasting extract from the roasted
tubers, is used to flavor beverages throughout Central America.

Day 258 -
Kangaroo paw is a common name for a number of species, in two genera of the
family Haemodoraceae, that are endemic to the south-west of Western Australia.
These perennial plants are noted for their unique bird attracting flowers. The
tubular flowers are coated with dense hairs and open at the apex with six
claw-like structures: from this paw formation the common name "Kangaroo
Paw" is derived.

Day 259 - The
word cosmos is derived from Greek and means orderly, beautiful, and balanced.
Cosmos blooms reach sizes of up to 2 inches in diameter and have vivid colors
and a sweet aroma which emanates from the flower.

Day 260 - The
Poppy is an angiosperm or flowering plant of the family Papaveraceae.
Ornamental poppies are grown for their colorful flowers; some varieties of
poppy are used as food, whilst other varieties produce the powerful medicinal
alkaloid opium which has been used since ancient times to create analgesic and
narcotic medicinal and recreational drugs.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

As
part of our 125th Anniversary celebration at Stein Your Florist Co.
we are sharing a year of floral education, November 1, 2012 thru October 31,
2013. Each day we will post something new on our Facebook page to share
our knowledge of our favorite things, flowers and plants and we'll be updating
our blog every 5 days or so. No need for pencils and notebooks, just sharing
some simple lessons in floristry.

Day 251 - The
cake remaining after the seeds of a sunflower have been processed for oil is
used as a livestock feed. Some recently developed cultivars have drooping
heads. These cultivars are less attractive to gardeners growing the flowers as
ornamental plants, but appeal to farmers, because they reduce bird damage and
losses from some plant diseases. Sunflowers also produce latex, and are the
subject of experiments to improve their suitability as an alternative crop for
producing nonallergenic rubber. These sunflowers are #Jerseyfresh

Day 252 - The
Crown of Thorns is a woody, multi-stemmed, succulent shrub that originated in
Madagascar. Dark green, tear shaped leaves appear randomly on each thorn
covered branch. When a Crown of Thorns plant becomes stressed due to over
watering or under watering, humidity or temperature changes, it may quickly
drop all of its leaves. Normally, once the cause of stress is resolved, fresh
foliage will quickly return to your plant. Crown of Thorns will produce flowers
nearly all year, but especially during the winter months.

Day 253 -
Lisianthus have rose-like showy blossoms in grand colors, and with proper care
they can last 7-10 days. Many of the unopened buds which show color may open
fully. Smaller buds may not open but simply support the larger blossoms and
accent the foliage.

Day 254 -
Dahlia is a genus of bushy, tuberous, herbaceous perennial plants native mainly
in Mexico, but also Central America, and Colombia. A member of the Asteraceae
or Compositae, dicotyledonous plants, related species include the sunflower,
daisy, chrysanthemum and zinnia. There are at least 36 species of dahlia, with
hybrids commonly grown as garden plants.

Day 255 - In
Europe and America, prior to the discovery of insulin in 1923, diabetics—as
well as consumptives—were often given a substance called Atlantic starch or
diabetic sugar, derived from inulin, a naturally occurring form of fruit sugar,
extracted from dahlia tubers.Inulin is
still used in clinical tests for kidney functionality.

We are captivated by the beauty of flowers every day. This blog is dedicated to the moments when we are completely enthralled with the joy of flowers. Thank you for partaking in these moments with us.

Your authors are the expert designers and staff of Stein Your Florist Co. and Steins at Sunset Florist. Formed in 1887 in Philadelphia, PA, Steins is the city's oldest florist and has been named Philadelphia's Favorite Florist. Our vision is to share our love of flowers with the world, while maintaining socially and ecologically responsible practices.

Flowers make the moment... Let us make a moment for you at Stein Your Florist Co.